William "Russell" Holland

Dr. William "Russell" Holland - SAVANNAH - Dr. William "Russell" Holland, 62, died peacefully at home Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with cancer. Russell was born to Jack and Alyce Holland, December 2, 1944 in Tifton, Georgia. When he was very young, his family moved to Macon, Georgia and from that day on, Macon became his home. Russell graduated from Lanier High School, in 1963. He went on to graduate from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. After completing medical school, Russell joined the Air Force. These were some of his happiest days. He was a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force, but also a member of the Air Force Base's golf team. He had a wonderful time flying in fast planes and playing great golf courses. After leaving the Air Force, Russell did his Internship in Dallas, Texas at the Baylor Medical Center. From Dallas, he went on to do his Residency in Orthopedic Surgery at The University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Russell began his career as an Orthopedic Surgeon, in Brunswick, Georgia. He later moved his practice to Jesup, Georgia becoming the first Orthopedic Surgeon to practice in Jesup. After practicing in Jesup for two years, Russell moved to Long Beach, California to do a fellowship in Spine Surgery under Dr. Leon Wiltsie. In 1985, after the completion of his fellowship, Russell moved to Savannah and opened his Orthopedic Practice with Dr. Tom German. Later, he moved his practice to Chatham Orthopedics, which he retired from due to poor health. Russell loved golf. In 2000, he qualified for the United States Senior Amateur. If you ever needed to find Russell, your best bet was to look on one of the six golf courses at the Landings. He enjoyed playing golf as many days a week as possible. Even after being diagnosed and treated for cancer, Russell continued to play golf with his friends in the Gold Blitz and the Working Men, many times taking "2/3rds" of the money!!! Golf kept Russell going long after the doctors thought cancer would get the best of him. He played his final round of golf, a few short months ago; he birdied the 18th hole, shooting a 78, winning all the money! Russ Holland has gone to heaven a happy man! Russell's proudest accomplishments were his three sons, Randy, Rhett, and Ryan; no matter how busy he was, he always made time for his boys. Whether this meant working on homework, a fastball, or guiding the search for the eternally elusive "secret" to the golf swing, he was ever-present throughout all of their endeavors. Russell was preceded in death by his father Jack and his half brother, Richard Holland. He is survived by his wife, Gail, three sons, Randy Holland of Brunswick, Rhett and Ryan Holland, both of Savannah; and his mother Alyce (Francis) Starr of Macon. "Grandpa Russell" will also be greatly missed by Gail's children, Jeannie (Chris) Yancey of Atlanta; Whitney (Kevin) D'Allaird of Charlotte, NC; and Brad Farr of San Antonio, TX; and their seven children, Madison, Daniel, Layne, and Andrew Yancey; Tyler, Matthew and Hayden D'Allaird. Dr. Mark Taylor and his staff at Summit Cancer Care were a tremendous help and source of support for Gail and Russell during his long battle with Cancer. A special thanks also to Dr. Jud Cuttino, Dr. Jim Holtzclaw, Dr. Joe Mulherin of Nashville and Dr. Steve Yeager for taking such good care of their friend and keeping him positive and comfortable during his long battle. Thanks also to Jayne Holland, who enabled Russell to be cared for in his home, and to Andy Starr, who without his friendship, foresight and planning, the last years of Russell's life would never have been so carefree and peaceful. Visitation will be Tuesday 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Giddens officiating. Graveside services will be Thursday at 2:00p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia with Rev. Jim Giddens officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Tee of Savannah or the American Cancer Society Savannah Morning News June 27, 2007 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com